Best way to use the backup camera?

PriusRos · 07-20-2006, 05:07 PM

It's cool -- but do you find the backup camera a really useful tool?

The backup camera lets you see things that are lower than the field of vision in the rear window, but you still have to turn around and look out the rear window when backing up because the camera cannot see anything that's approaching from the sides. The problem is, you can't look at the camera on the MFD and out of the window at the same time, so how useful is it really?

So, my question is, how do you get the best use out of the camera?

nwprius · 07-20-2006, 05:18 PM

Very good at keeping me between the two white lines when backing into a parkng spot. Also tells me when I am near the curb on parallel parking. Yes, I do have to look to see if anything is coming left or right first. I like it. Nothing is perfect but this is helpful.

amitandrima · 07-20-2006, 05:34 PM

While backing out I personally scan from one side to other glancing at the camera view in between. That way i have the full field of view wihtout having to turn my head by 180°. This is also of great help when you are sandwiched between two large trucks or mini vans!.

While backing in to a spot (which i do more often) i use the camera to align my vehicle with the yellow lines. I am still away from perfection with the second one. The camera is perfect in telling you when to stop because you see what is almost right below the rear bumper. (I plan to cut a transperancy sheet the size of the MFD, do a perfect parking and draw two lines on the sheet and use it next time i back in to show me the ideal centered location OR i could just practice some more and improve my judgement!).

sl7vk · 07-20-2006, 05:44 PM

Not very useful.... But I did really like it once. I was backing into a busy street and the view was blocked by street parking. The camara proved very useful in seeing what kind of traffic was coming.

markymags · 07-20-2006, 05:51 PM

Here is what I think will be the best way to use the backup camera: Get two Priuses, black- out the windshield and front two side windows and race... BACKWARD USING ONLY THE BACK- UP CAMERA! May the best driver win!

PriusRos · 07-20-2006, 06:27 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nwprius @ Jul 20 2006, 05:18 PM) [snapback]289595[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Very good at keeping me between the two white lines when backing into a parkng spot. Also tells me when I am near the curb on parallel parking. Yes, I do have to look to see if anything is coming left or right first. I like it. Nothing is perfect but this is helpful.
[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gyro @ Jul 20 2006, 05:34 PM) [snapback]289603[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

While backing out I personally scan from one side to other glancing at the camera view in between. That way i have the full field of view wihtout having to turn my head by 180°. This is also of great help when you are sandwiched between two large trucks or mini vans!.

While backing in to a spot (which i do more often) i use the camera to align my vehicle with the yellow lines. I am still away from perfection with the second one. The camera is perfect in telling you when to stop because you see what is almost right below the rear bumper. (I plan to cut a transperancy sheet the size of the MFD, do a perfect parking and draw two lines on the sheet and use it next time i back in to show me the ideal centered location OR i could just practice some more and improve my judgement!).
[/b]

I admit I haven't practiced that much, but I find it very difficult backing up straight into a space using the backup camera. It's easier for me to just turn around and back up in the traditional contorted position of one hand on the steering wheel and the other over the back of the seat -- but that's probably because I'm more practiced at it. I must say that if I can improve my steering using just the backup camera, it would certainly be a much more comfortable position to do it.

But when backing out of a spot into traffic, if one is watching the screen I don't see how you can see people or cars approaching from the side you are backing towards.

sl7vk · 07-20-2006, 06:29 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Jul 20 2006, 06:27 PM) [snapback]289641[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

But when backing out of a spot into traffic, if one is watching the screen I don't see how you can see people or cars approaching from the side you are backing towards.
[/b]

You just have to angle the butt of your car in that general direction. The fish eye camera does the rest!

AndyMartin826 · 07-20-2006, 06:43 PM

I actually use mine to make sure I haven't pulled in too far into the garage. First time I parked it I pulled up as I always did with my Corolla, not thinking about the Prius being a little longer. When I walked around the check the back, it was still sticking out a little, so I pulled in further. I checked the front, and I was too close to walk around a refrigerator we have in our garage to the door. So, I got back in the Prius, and turned on the backup camera. I got the sweet spot in the garage for clearing the garage door and still being able to walk around the car, and made a mark on the floor. Now, I just pull in, turn on the camera, and line the mark on the floor up with the bottom of the screen. Perfect parking every time :P

PriusRos · 07-20-2006, 06:55 PM

Thanks for the tips. I definitely need to practice more and maybe add a mark in my driveway to align with the car's rear.

The other thing that I find difficult to get used to is that everything looks much further away than it actually is. Things that are only 4 or 5 feet away look to be twice that distance. I'm afraid of misjudging and backing right into someone.

**Tideland Prius** · 07-20-2006, 07:07 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Jul 20 2006, 02:07 PM) [snapback]289589[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It's cool -- but do you find the backup camera a really useful tool?

The backup camera lets you see things that are lower than the field of vision in the rear window, but you still have to turn around and look out the rear window when backing up because the camera cannot see anything that's approaching from the sides. The problem is, you can't look at the camera on the MFD and out of the window at the same time, so how useful is it really?

So, my question is, how do you get the best use out of the camera?
[/b]

You're NOT supposed to rely solely on the camera when reversing. Technically, it's just used to see what's below the window and also how close you are to the vehicle behind you when parking (helps if you're parking in a tight parallel parking spot and you need to use all the space you can get)

07-20-2006, 05:07 PM	#1
PriusRos Not-THAT-Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 535 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It's cool -- but do you find the backup camera a really useful tool? The backup camera lets you see things that are lower than the field of vision in the rear window, but you still have to turn around and look out the rear window when backing up because the camera cannot see anything that's approaching from the sides. The problem is, you can't look at the camera on the MFD and out of the window at the same time, so how useful is it really? So, my question is, how do you get the best use out of the camera? __________________ 2006 Classic Silver Metallic with Grey fabric interior Took delivery 6/14/2006 Additions: Carpeted floor mats and chrome license plate frame

07-20-2006, 06:43 PM	#8
AndyMartin826 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 112 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I actually use mine to make sure I haven't pulled in too far into the garage. First time I parked it I pulled up as I always did with my Corolla, not thinking about the Prius being a little longer. When I walked around the check the back, it was still sticking out a little, so I pulled in further. I checked the front, and I was too close to walk around a refrigerator we have in our garage to the door. So, I got back in the Prius, and turned on the backup camera. I got the sweet spot in the garage for clearing the garage door and still being able to walk around the car, and made a mark on the floor. Now, I just pull in, turn on the camera, and line the mark on the floor up with the bottom of the screen. Perfect parking every time :P __________________ Accessory wishlist: BT Sitffening Plate, 3M Clear Bra, Mudflaps, sharkfin antenna, MFD hood, Bluetooth kit, DICE iPod integration

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07-20-2006, 05:18 PM	#2
nwprius Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roy, Washington and Nanaimo, Canada Posts: 131 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Very good at keeping me between the two white lines when backing into a parkng spot. Also tells me when I am near the curb on parallel parking. Yes, I do have to look to see if anything is coming left or right first. I like it. Nothing is perfect but this is helpful.

07-20-2006, 05:34 PM	#3
amitandrima Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 24 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	While backing out I personally scan from one side to other glancing at the camera view in between. That way i have the full field of view wihtout having to turn my head by 180°. This is also of great help when you are sandwiched between two large trucks or mini vans!. While backing in to a spot (which i do more often) i use the camera to align my vehicle with the yellow lines. I am still away from perfection with the second one. The camera is perfect in telling you when to stop because you see what is almost right below the rear bumper. (I plan to cut a transperancy sheet the size of the MFD, do a perfect parking and draw two lines on the sheet and use it next time i back in to show me the ideal centered location OR i could just practice some more and improve my judgement!).

07-20-2006, 05:44 PM	#4
sl7vk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 362 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Not very useful.... But I did really like it once. I was backing into a busy street and the view was blocked by street parking. The camara proved very useful in seeing what kind of traffic was coming.

07-20-2006, 05:51 PM	#5
markymags Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 35 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Here is what I think will be the best way to use the backup camera: Get two Priuses, black- out the windshield and front two side windows and race... BACKWARD USING ONLY THE BACK- UP CAMERA! May the best driver win!

07-20-2006, 06:55 PM	#9
PriusRos Not-THAT-Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 535 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for the tips. I definitely need to practice more and maybe add a mark in my driveway to align with the car's rear. The other thing that I find difficult to get used to is that everything looks much further away than it actually is. Things that are only 4 or 5 feet away look to be twice that distance. I'm afraid of misjudging and backing right into someone.